Hub cap lock



E. N. JACOB! HUB GAP Lock Oct. 10, 1939.

Original Filed Sept. 23, 1935 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. l0, 1939. E. JAcoBl 2,175,353

HUB CAP LOilKr OriginalFiled Sept. 23, l1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @l I f 5 ,72 I 2# f ff l W y? 73j# e4 j /7 7 /7 t t l I n i 30 '$QMM Edward N. Jaabz Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Briggs & Stratton Corporation,

Milwaukee,

Wis., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 23, 1935, Serial Divided and this application May 10, 1938, Serial N0. 207,036

Claims.

This invention relates to automobile spare wheel covers and locks and is a division of the copending application, Serial No. 41,645, filed September 23, 1935, which matured into Patent 5 No. 2,134,761, Nov. 1, 1938.

It is now the custom to mount the spare Wheels of automobiles on fixed carrier brackets by bolts passed through the same holes in the hub portions of the Wheels used to secure the wheel to the axle. To prevent theft of the spare Wheel, a cover is locked over the Wheel or at least over the hub portion thereof which prevents' access to the nuts of the fastening bolts and thus guards against unauthorized detachment of the wheel lblirom the carrier bracket.

Heretofore this cover was locked to the hub of the spare wheel, but in this invention the cover is locked to the carrier bracket. This latter construction is particularly adaptable to the modern wheel construction in which the wheel is practically without a'hub, as such, and comprises merely a rim on which the tire is mounted and a ange extending inwardly from the rim.

As in the aforesaid parent application, the present invention contemplates a construction in which the cover is in two parts, one a sheet metal tire co-ver and the other a hub cap, the hub cap being locked to a carrier bracket and serving not only to prevent access to the fastening means by which the spare Wheel is mounted on the carrier bracket, but also locking the tire cover against removal.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for locking the hub cap in place which is so constructed that it may be drawn tight with the required degree of tension to secure not only the hub cap but also the tire cover solidly in position and thus preclude rattling.

A special object of the invention as presented in this application is to provide an improved locking device by which the hub cap may be quickly drawn tight against the hub and securely locked` so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through a spare Wheel and the carrier bracket on which it is mounted illustrating this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional vieW taken through the center of the locking mecha nism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through on the plane of the line 3 3;

Figure 4 is a perspective rview of the rear of the locking mechanism showing the same in unlocked position; and Y Figure 5 is a detail sectional View through Figure 2 on the plane of the line 5 5.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indi-Y cate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates a carrier bracket on which a spare wheel indicated generally by the numeral 6 is mounted. The bracket 5 may be of any suitable construction and in the present instance is illustrated asl a cup-shaped stamping welded or otherwise secured to the body of an automobile with its closed bottom or end wall 'l spaced from the Wall of the automobile to which the bracket is secured.

Projecting from the Wall 'l are a number of studs B arranged in a circle and spaced so as to be received in the holesI 9 with which the hub portion I0 of the spare wheel is equipped and which are used in the attachment of the wheel to the axle. Nuts Il threaded on the .studs 8 serve to clamp the hub portion l0 of the spare wheel to .the mounting bracket.

The hub portion l of the spare wheel is in reality merely an offsetflange ixed to the rim l2 of the spare Wheel and extending but a short distance inwardly therefrom to define a relatively large central opening.

Disposed over the tire of the spare wheel is' a sheet metal tire cover I3. This cover consists of a ring-like shell having a side covering portion I4 on one side of its median plane for disposition over the outer side wall ofthe spare 45 wheel and a rimportion I5 extending from the side covering portion across to the opposite side of the median plane to terminate in an edge parallel to thek median plane and defining an opening of the same diameter as the rim on the medi- 50 an plane. The cross sectional shape of the rim portion engageable with the top of the tire tread is convexly curved so as to hook over and slightly behind the top of the tire. From this convexly curved shape at the top of the rim the cross sec- 55 Figure 2 alsE tional shape of the rim progressively changes until at the bottom portion of the rim it ares outwardly. 'Ihis disposes the opening deiined by the edge at the rear of the rim eccentrically and downwardly to the diameter of the rim on its median plane.

With this construction the tire cover may be quickly applied or removed as it is free to swing flatwise on its hooked engagement with the top.

of the tire to and from its covering position.

The side covering portion I4 hasI a central open'- ing preferably large enough to expose the nuts I I,`

and the cross sectional shape of the side covering portion is such that the peripheral edge portion circumscribing the central opening overlies and is spaced a short distance from the adjacent outer side wall of the spare wheel hub portion I0, when the cover is not being pressed in against the spare wheel. -v

Closing the central opening in the tire cover and clamping the'inner peripheral edge portion thereof against the adjacent hub portion IU is a hub cap I6. The hub cap I6 comprises a stii metal disc il of a diameter to extend beyond the inner peripheral edge of the tire cover and consequently completely cover the studs by which the wheel is secured to the bracket. A ange on its marginal edge and a central annular corrugation provide rigidity for the disc.

Secured over the outer face of the disc is an ornamental nishing sheath I8 which bulges outwardly from the disc and has a comparatively large central opening which is closed by a hinged door I 9. The door I9 is hingedly mounted either from the ornamental finishing sheath, or, as shown, by means of a hinge structure 2B carried by the disc II. Two or more spring fingers 2| serve to hold the door I9 closed to cooperate with the sheath I8 in providing a neat external appealance.

The hub cap is secured in position by means of a threaded stud 22 rotatably but non-longitudinally movably carried by the disc I'I with its threaded end 23 engageable in a threaded opening 24 in the wall 'I of the carrier bracket. The outer end of the stud has a hexagonal head to receive a wrench by which the stud may be turned, access being had to the head upon opening of the door I9.

As will be readily apparent, the disc I'I has a degree of resiliency so that it is possible by tightening of the stud to slightly bow the disc inwardly and thus hold not only the hub cap I6 but also the tire cover securely against the side of the spare wheel and thereby positively preclude rattling. In fact, it is possible through the stud 22 to hold the entire spare wheel firmly against the mounting bracket so that through this single means all of the associated parts are held in rm engagement and the possibility of rattling is reduced to a minimum.

Unauthorized removal of the spare wheel is precluded by locking the stud 22 against retrograde rotation. For this purpose the stud has a ratchet in the form of a washer 25 fixed thereto in position to overlie the inner face of the disc I?. The washer 25 is castellated to provide four equi-spaced rectangular recesses 26 into which a spring pressed pawl 2T engages. The pawl 2l is the outer free end portion of a U- shaped bail 28 hingedly mounted as at 29 and yieldingly urged into operative position by a spring iinger 30. The extreme end of the pawl is inclined as at 3l in a direction such that rotation of the stud to tighten the same is permitted while retrograde rotation is prevented.

To disengage the pawl 2'I from the castellated flange or washer 25 and permit retrograde rotation of the stud, a key operable lock mechanism indicated generally by thev numeral 32 is provided. This lock mechanism comprises a casing or mounting member 33 secured to the inner Vface of the disc Il preferably on the axis oi the wheel and in the space dened by the U-shaped bail 28. In fact the hinged mounting of the bail 28 is effected by means of the lock casing or mounting member 33. For this purpose the hinged arm of the U-shaped bail is received between spaced bearing lugs 34 formed as integral parts of the lock casing or mounting member. The hinge pin passes through these bearing lugs and the adjacent curled end of the bail.

It is to be noted that the spring finger which serves to yieldingly hold the bail in its position at which its pawl portion 2l actively engages the castellated washer or ratchet, is riveted to the bearing blocks 34.

The actual attachment of the lock casing to the disc il is effected bymeans of a substantially rectangular plate 35 cut out to permit the projection of the lock casing therethrough and provided with an offset part at its inner periphery bordering its opening which overlies a ange 36 on the lock casing to clamp the same between it and the disc Il, the plate 35 being spot welded to the disc I'I.

As best shown in Figure 2, the U-shaped bail 28 embraces the lock casing in such a manner that its central wall 31 overlies the inner end of the lock casing to be accessible to the inner end of the lock cylinder. This enables the use of simple means for swinging the bail to carry its pawl portion to an unlocked position shown in Figure 4.

To so move the bail the inner end of the lock cylinder has an eccentric driving lug 39 projecting therefrom to ride under an inclined cam 40 formed as an integral part of the wall 31 of the U-shaped bail. Upon rotation of the cylinder to unlocking position the eccentric lug rides under the inclined cam 49 and pushes the wall 31 rearwardly, swinging the bail against the action of its spring and disengaging its pawl portion from the castellated flange 25.

The mounting of the lock cylinder 38 in the lock casing is such that the key cannot be withdrawn from the cylinder when the cylinder is in its unlocked position of rotation. Consequently, the mechanism will not be inadvertently left in an unlocked position, for to remove the key necessitates turning the cylinder back to its locked position of rotation at which the spring pressed pawl is operative to automatically secure the stud against retrograde rotation.

Attention is directed to the fact that the free end portion of the U-shaped bail which provides the pawl 2l moves between two spaced walls or abutments 4I so that the pawl is iirmly held against twisting stresses as in an attempt at forced rotation of thestud 22.

While it is desirable to draw the stud 22 down tight enough to slightly bow the disc I 'I and place the same in a degree of tension so that the parts will be firmly secured against; rattling, excessive bowing or deilection of the disc I'I is objection able. Hence, a spacing sleeve 44 is mounted on the stud 22. This spacing sleeve 44 is of such length that the stud may be drawn down tight enough to secure the hub cap and tire cover rmly in place, but it will not permit excessive deflection of the disc Il.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that this invention provides improved and simplied means for securing a spare Wheel and its tire against theft, and that through the medium of a single securing means all associated parts are rmly held against relative motion so as to reduce the possibility of rattling to a minimum.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Locking means for securing a hub cap in position comprising: a threaded stud freely rotatably mounted on the hub cap and adapted for threaded engagementrwith a member to which the hub cap is securable; a castellated washer nonrotatably xed to the threaded stud to turn therewith; a U-shaped bail pivoted to the hub cap with its free end engageable with the castellated washer to act as a pawl and prevent retrograde rotation of the stud; and key controlled lock means for disengaging the pawl portion of the U-shaped bail from the castellated washer, said lock means being mounted in the space defined by the U-shaped bail and including a cam operable to engage the U-shaped bail and disengage its pawl portion from the castellated washer.

2. Locking means for securing a hub cap in position comprising: a threaded stud freely rotatably mounted on the hub cap and adapted for threaded engagement with a member to which the hub cap is securable; a ange carried by the stud to turn therewith, said flange having a notch in its outer periphery; a pawl member hingedly mounted with respect to the threaded stud with its outer free end engageable in said notch to secure the stud against retrograde rotation; and key controlled lock means for moving the pawl member out of the notch.

3. Locking means for securing a hub cap in position comprising: a threaded stud freely rotatably mounted on the hub cap and adapted for threaded engagement with a member to which the hub cap is securable; a castellated washer nonrotatably fixed to the threaded stud to turn therewith; a U-shaped bail pivoted to the hub cap with its free end engageable with the castellated Washer to act as a pawl and prevent retrograde rotation of the stud; and key controlled lock means for disengaging the pawl portion of the U-shaped bail from the castellated Washer comprising a lock casing mounted on the hub cap in the space dened by the U-sbaped bail, a key controlled lock cylinder in the casing, and cam means carried by the cylinder and projecting from the inner end of the lock casing to engage the U-shaped bail and disengage its pawl portion from the castellated washer upon rotation of the cylinder.

4. Locking means for securing a hub cap in position comprising: a member rotatably mounted on the hub cap and adapted for engagement with a supporting member to which the hub cap is securable to draw the hub cap toward said supporting member; a part on said rotatable member having abutments; a pawl hingedly mounted with respect to said rotatable member with its free end portion engageable with said abutments to secure the rotatable member against hub cap releasing rotation; a spring yieldingly urging said pawl into operative engagement with the part having said abutments; and key controlled lock means for disengaging the pawl from an abutment with which it is engaged to free the rotatable member for hub cap releasing rotation.

5. Locking means for securing a hubl cap in position comprising: a threaded stud freely rotatably carried by the hub cap and adapted for threaded engagement with a supporting member to which the hub cap is securable; a notched part carried by the stud to be rotatable therewith; a substantially U-shaped bail hingedly mounted at one end and having its other end provided with a tapered edge engageable with the notched part; spring means yieldingly urging the bail into operative engagement with said notched part so that rotation of the threaded stud in a forward direction is unopposed by the U-shaped bail while retrograde rotation of the stud is precluded by engagement of the bail end in one of the notches; and key controlled lock means for disengaging the bail from the notched part to free the stud for retrograde rotation.

EDWARD N. J ACOBI. 

